The Biola women’s soccer team started their preseason with a pair of losses as they fell 2-1 in double overtime to the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos on Saturday, Aug. 27 and 1-0 to the Cal State San Marcos Cougars on Tuesday, Aug. 30.

Pomona games goes into overtime

On Saturday night, the Broncos’ senior Jennifer Rivera started off the scoring with a goal 18 minutes into the game, setting the tone for the rest of the game. The Eagles received their first, and only, big goal of the game from junior Ashleigh Cooley in the second half after finishing a beautiful pass from junior Taylor Lundquist.

Pomona dominated the first half of the game, taking a total of eight shots while holding Biola to just two. The teams entered overtime tied at 1-1 with 18 shots by the Broncos and nine from the Eagles. No goal was made in the first overtime period, forcing the two teams to move on to a second overtime period.

Starting goalkeeper for the Eagles, freshman Marina Rodriguez, allowed one goal and earned a pair of saves in the first half before exiting the game with an injury as the half came to a close. Senior Erin Frushon took over the position in the second half, earning five saves, but ultimately suffered the loss after Pomona’s Rivera scored the second goal of the match in the second overtime period with less than two minutes remaining, ending the game 2-1.

“Overall, I think the team really stepped it up this game. The previous games we were still trying to find our rhythm while getting used to playing with new incoming players,” Rodriguez said. “Now we’re starting to get into that rhythm and are expecting positive outcomes in the future games.”

Despite strong efforts, San Marcos gets the best of Biola

Tuesday night the Eagles looked for redemption when they hosted No. 15 Cal State San Marcos. Despite some great saves by Frushon and eight shot attempts by Cooley and sophomore Jessica Austin, Biola suffered their second straight loss.

San Marcos’ senior Arielle Cohen scored with 36 minutes remaining in the second half. A foul was called just outside the box, giving Cohen the free kick and allowing her to make the first, and only, goal of the game. She took the shot from 23 yards away and managed to find the lower right corner of the goal, barely getting past Frushon.

“We need to attack a little more dangerously,” said Biola head coach Todd Elkins. “We gave up goals and didn’t score today so you can’t claim any victory if you don’t score. But I’d say just work on our attacks.”

Though these two games were non-conference matches, Elkins stresses the importance of them just as if they were part of the regular season.

“Preseason matches are getting us ready for conference play. They’re just as important as any game, we’re just at a different point in the season,” Elkins said.

Biola travels to Salt Lake City this weekend for two games. The women’s soccer team will take on Westminster College on Friday and then will face off against the University of Great Falls on Saturday.